One year after receiving a $5,000 art scholarship, a young Kwakwaka’wakw artist unveiled his finished artwork in a special reception at Vancouver International Airport (YVR).
Thomas Wamiss Jr., 19, of the Quatsino Band in Coal Harbour, was among the aboriginal artists to show their work at the annual YVR Art Foundation Scholarship reception at the airport May 30.
His artwork, called Nagamal (Bear Face), is a pounded copper shield with acrylic and enamel paint and will remain exhibited at YVR.
After receiving his scholarship last year, Wamiss attended the Emily Carr University Summer Institute to mentor with hereditary chief William “Wa” Wasden, a noted Kwakwaka’wakw artist and singer from Alert Bay.
The YVR Art Foundation scholarships are awarded annually to help B.C. First Nations youth develop their artistic potential in woodcarving, weaving, jewelry design, printmaking, or other traditional art forms. This year eight artists were awarded scholarships of $5,000 each.